Virtual Book Tour: Hot Knight in Paradise by Sofia Harper

Today we welcome Sofia Harper. We’re a stop on her virtual book tour to promote her novel Hot Knight in Paradise.

What type of music do you listen to?

Actually, I listen to almost everything. My iTunes has Katy Perry, Jill Scott, Awolnation and the Dixie Chicks. That’s just a small sample to what I listen to. If the music moves me, entertains or just gets me moving I’ll listen to it. A lot.

What types of books are on your bookshelf at home?

It’s sort of like my music—eclectic. I have sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, classics and, of course, romance. The bulk is romance, in every sub-genre, but give me a good read and you’ll have me from the first page.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

Hawaii. I’d love to live. As a graduation gift my mother sent me there. I wasn’t solo, mind you. There was a company that sent graduates on vacations. The weather was perfect. The warm was warm and beautiful. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

What flowers would be in your ideal bouquet?

Orange tulips. There’s just something about them and I love them.

What is your dream car and why?

Cherry red 1967 Ford Mustang. Lol I owned a 1992 Ford Mustang and I pretty much fell in love with the model. But, that 1967 is something worth drooling over.

What is your favorite body part on a man?

I love a man’s Adam’s apple. I’m not sure why other than the fact that is just so masculine.

Which TV show(s) can you absolutely not miss every week?

Scandal. Shonda has written a show that has everything. It definitely lives up to its name. I’m dying this summer without new episodes. I’m trying to get my mother hooked. I will. I so will get her hooked. I won’t rest until I do.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing September 13th 2004. So that’s nine very long years of sitting in front of a computer creating imaginary worlds and characters. I love it.

What inspired you to write your latest release?

All About Romance wrote a blog post about rape culture. Like most controversial things, it quickly turned into a kerfluffle. A book idea was sparked because a Leah showed up in my head feeling shame and guilt for something that wasn’t her fault. She wasn’t a victim of rape, but she was deeply affected by it happening to her cousin. After that I felt compelled to give her an HEA. She deserved it.

Is there such a thing as too much sex in a romance novel? Explain.

Yes. Now I only say this because sometimes the sex stops being a part of the story. That can be with one scene or ten. If nothing in the sex is furthering the story or character then it’s too much. If it is absolutely necessary the writer must write it in a way that leaves no doubt that if you were to cut the sex the story would suffer.

About the book

Stranded in paradise with no way to get home, Leah Smith needs a miracle, and fast. Instead, she gets Marshall Jackson, surely the sexiest man alive. Too bad he’s got an emotional wall around himself–and her only hope of getting off the island…

Marshall has a strict no damsels in distress policy, but there’s something about Leah that makes him want to break his own rules. He agrees to let her work in his bar until she earns enough to get home. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to deny the scorching attraction between them. Soon hot island nights provide balm to their wounded souls, but will these two flawed exiles make peace with the past in time to claim the future they deserve together–or will paradise be lost?

Excerpt

“If you’re thirsty, I’ll make you a drink. For you, five bucks for the drink and five for the minimum to get in on the poker game about to start. You’re going to lose it anyway. I’m the reigning champion. You want it on the rocks?”

She glanced around the empty bar. “You need more people than this to play poker.”

“Drinking poker.” He swept his hands in the air. “And if you build it, they will come.”

“Oh,” she said with a hint of sarcasm. “That makes sense.”

Confused, he asked, “What does?”

She twirled her finger around to indicate the bar. “You built this place.”

He scowled at the cheap shot. “You in?”

“Just the drink. Rum and coke. Plenty of rocks, since you don’t serve water.”

Finally, his limbs loosened. The tears portion of the night had ended. Marshall prepped her drink and set up the bar. Not much to do, since the same few stragglers would come in, but it fulfilled him to have this routine instead of the tedious routines of being an attorney. He liked knowing what happened next and to do it without interruption or pitfalls. No one’s life was on the line. The contentment lasted until he turned around again and noticed the woman staring down into her untouched drink.

He would leave her to her melancholy. Her problems weren’t his. She’d tried to bargain with a mugger. She had what it would take to get back home somehow. She didn’t need him, and heaven help anyone who did.

“Shit,” he muttered.

Her gaze rose to his, her eyes a little glassy from unshed tears.

“Hmm?”

“You asked for a drink, so drink.” He needed to know she was as tough as she looked. Then he’d be fine. Then he could let go of the urge to care about this woman who had no one to call.

She pursed her lips for a moment. “You’re bossy and I know what you’re doing. Trying to keep me from losing my shit.”

“I can be and I’m not doing anything. So drink.” He held her gaze until she picked up the glass in defiance and took a tentative sip.

Her breath hissed out, and then she glared at him. He smiled back, and any sadness lurking in the depths of her eyes receded. She took up the challenge and drank deeply.

Prize: A $25 Amazon gift card to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour.

How to enter: Leave a comment or a question below (you do not have to include your email address). Follow the tour and comment on the other blogs. The more you comment, the better your chance of winning. Follow the tour and comment on the other blogs. The more you comment, the better your chance of winning.

Note: By participating in this contest, the winner has given permission to RNIC to share his/her name and email address with the person conducting the contest so they can forward the prize(s).

In 2004, Sofia Harper began her writing career as a romantic suspense author. A bit problematic because she couldn’t write anything mystery-like to save her life or even her characters. On a whim, she penned a contemporary where there was no dead body or explosions to save her from the dreadful middle slumps of a book. It was only the characters and what they had to deal with. She hasn’t looked back since. She continues to write contemporary romances, mainly under a different pen, filled with sassy heroines and unlikely heroes. These stories are filled with one-liners, but heartfelt and sexy.

Outside of writing, Harper works as a mail clerk for the federal government, has a paralegal certificate (that she has more use for as a dust pan) and is a mother of two rambunctious children. She lives in California where the wine is good and, despite popular belief, is not always sunny. Harper plans to spend the rest of her days writing, raising her children and drinking good wine. Occasionally she’ll brush her hair and get dressed, but that’s optional.

Nice interview RNIC. It was nice getting to know you Ms Sofia. I love learnig about new authors and the type of novels they write. This was a great except, and I am going to enjoy the novel. I am looking forward to reading more of your novels. I have met some amazing authors through interviews done on RNIC site. Thanks for the interview and novel excerpt.

Thank you for sharing how you got the idea for Hot Knight in Paradise! Rape culture is one of those heavy truths of our culture that seems like this enormous elephant in the room and it’s difficult to address head on, but the fact that you allowed it to help you create a story that would add a bit more light to the subject is really awesome!

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